Pets

As more people take their dogs outside to enjoy the summer weather, Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) is launching its “Always Ask” campaign, sharing safety advice for interacting with dogs. More warm and sunny days means more dogs on the streets, and HSWM believes it’s important that the community knows how to approach dogs to protect themselves and the animals.

“The goal of this campaign is to make a habit of respecting the animal’s needs over our own,” said Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director at HSWM. “Animals, especially dogs, have boundaries just like humans and simply need their space. They will let you know if they don’t want to interact by giving basic cues.”

Recently, Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) celebrated record breaking attendance at their annual Paws, Claws & Corks fundraiser, an event featuring fine wines and microbrews, tastes of Grand Rapids’ best restaurants and both live and silent auctions. More than 850 animal lovers attended the event at DeVos Place in Downtown Grand Rapids, helping HSWM exceed $200,000 in donations.

Every year, HSWM places thousands of animals into forever homes. The recent donations will enable HSWM to continue to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in the communities the organization is privileged to serve.

With a new year underway, the Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) is looking back and celebrating another successful year. In 2016, HSWM helped more than 3,700 animals find their forever homes – a record-setting number for the organization.

The new record surpasses the more than 3,000 adoptions that took place in 2015. The increase in adoptions can be attributed to community support of adopting shelter animals, families embracing multiple shelter animals, and the variety of ages and breeds of animals up for adoption at HSWM.

“We cannot thank our team of staff and volunteers, as well as our generous donors, enough for another successful year,” said Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director of HSWM. “They are the backbone of our organization and we are blessed to have them assist HSWM with saving lives, raising awareness and educating the community.”

For many people, young and old alike, a pet for Christmas is the top desire for the season. For a long time, it was assumed that pets as gifts were a really bad idea, increasing adopted animals being returned to the shelter after the excitement of the holidays is over. Data supports just the opposite.

“It’s a myth,” states Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director of HSWM, “that giving a pet as a gift is a bad idea. In fact, with the right research, identifying the needs of the new pet, and knowing the person you are gifting to, helps make the right decision for both the pet and the person.”

A 2013 study by Dr. Emily Weiss says, “There is no increased risk of relinquishment for dogs and cats received as a gift.” In her research, Dr. Weiss found that over 87% of the pet owners in the study still had their pet in their home or had kept the pet in their home for the pet’s lifetime, even when the pet was given as a surprise or a gift, according to the ASPCA.

For the 11th year, this celebration is an exciting opportunity to take part in the Harvest Hustle 5K with registration beginning at 8am, the outdoor Chili Madness Cook-off at Larkins Restaurant or visit the fairgrounds to participate in a Pet Expo, Flea & Farmers Market, Scarecrow-building hoedown along with the chance to enjoy live entertainment from 11am to 4pm & much more.

Each year thousands of animals are surrendered to local Humane Society shelters in Michigan. These Humane Society shelters rely solely on donations to sustain their operations, making the need for essential pet supplies substantial.

To aid these animals in need, Rainbow Child Care Center, a leading early childhood education provider, is introducing its Kids for Canines program. Rainbow is teaming up with humane societies across the state, including the Humane Society of West Michigan locally, to collect essential pet supplies for dogs waiting to be placed in their loving forever homes.

LOWELL, Mich.—A teacher’s head is a little lighter this summer, after winning a very hairy bet to help others.

As a retired Army officer, Rob Stevens had always kept his hair trim; that’s why his friend Steve Cannady thought he could win an easy bet by challenging Stevens to growing his hair to at least ten inches. If Stevens could resist the urge to pick up a pair of scissors, Cannady promised to donate $20 an inch to the charity of Stevens’ choice.

Earlier this month, Stevens celebrated his first hair cut since November 2012, during an assembly at Cherry Creek Elementary, where he teaches fifth grade. The Humane Society of West Michigan was on hand to accept the $200 donation. The hair will go into a wig for Children With Hair Loss.